Pit bulls the bullied ones

The ease with which many communities in North America have been whipped into a frenzy over pit bulls is frightening, and it's equally upsetting to read a letter ["Pit bulls still bullies," Aug. 4] accusing someone of losing perspective when they're one of a small minority that has bothered to educate themselves on pit bull-type breeds.

Pit bulls undeniably have a fighting history, but to believe that "the common conception of pit bulls as aggressive and dangerous... is no stereotype," is to out yourself as having bought into a hysterical mythology that is currently being directed at pit bull-type dogs, but has in the past been applied to German shepherds, Great Danes, Rottweilers and mastiffs.

It is telling to look at what is excluded from media reports of dog attacks, such as the fact that overwhelmingly the dogs involved in fatal attacks are un-neutered males, or that 98 per cent of pit bulls pass temperament tests (a test which evaluates a dog's temperament in regards to people in a variety of situations, including those which may cause stress or fear in the dog), versus the 75 per cent average for other breeds. Other relevant, though rarely mentioned information, is that historically the same people who encouraged the trait of dog aggression did not accept any sign of aggression towards humans. As a result, it is widely known to anyone who is familiar with these breeds that they make terrible guard dogs, as they're more likely to stick their tongue up an intruder's nose than stop them from stealing your TV. A few things pit bulls have proven very good at, however, are being search and rescue dogs, highly decorated military dogs or, such as in the case of a pit bull on death row in an Ontario shelter thanks to Michael Bryant's crusade, police dogs.

I find it extremely troubling that because people would rather swallow sensationalistic media representation whole than critically examine what is being fed to them, pit bull owners and their dogs suffer undeserved harassment. Not only by individuals, but also by government bodies which add to, and then seek to calm, pit bull hysteria through ineffective legislation or, as in Denver, Colorado, currently, a call for vigilante justice by City Attorney Korey Nelson.

Pit bulls are strong dogs, and they have been bred in many cases to encourage their ability to participate in horrible blood sports for the amusement of some very misguided humans, but they are also some of the most people-loving and sensitive dogs in the world. They are certainly not the dog for everyone, as they require not only a level of dedication to training, exercise and care that most pet owners are not willing to give, but a very thick skin to be able to put up with a seemingly never-ending attack on these breeds and the people who own them.

» Zoe Cousineau

Against extradition

The arrest on July 29 of Marc Emery, the B.C. Marijuana Party member, by the RCMP at the request of the United States ["Angel & Insect," Aug. 4] is an important development, worthy of extensive coverage and relevant to all Canadians. That the United States is asking our government to extradite a Canadian citizen to face marijuana charges is obscene.

While the marijuana debate continues in Canada, a war rages on in the United States. It is for our government to scrutinize and assess the activities of Marc Emery and proceed with Canadian due process. The marijuana issue, like other issues where we may differ in ideology from the United States, must be evaluated by Canadian standards and Canadian rule of law. We as Canadians have proven strong in our resolve to independently choose which wars we wish to fight. This one should be no exception!

» Filomena Vellucci

Through the roof

About your news story on the rooftop garden ["Green on top," Aug. 4]. It's one of those things that sounds like a good idea but you should tell your readers not to try it at home. We moved into a triplex in May and the landlord said we could have access to the roof from the back balcony. It was one of the reasons that we took the place, because we'd be able to see the fireworks from there. After we brought friends up there a couple of times, he said we were damaging the roof. He told us we couldn't use it anymore because we cracked the roofing felt and disturbed the gravel when we walked on it. Actually, I don't know if it was already like that. Apparently, we would be responsible if there was a leak because his insurance wouldn't cover it. So just a warning to other people who want to use their roof to be careful.

» S. Gagnon

Correction

A credit for the inside photo of Wolf Parade that accompanied last week's story "Full Moon Rising" was inadvertently omitted. The photographer was Michael Doerksen.

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